Trailer Talk: 'The Muppets'

14 Oct 2011

Jim Henson’s Muppets are kids stuff no more.

Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy were once meant for young audiences bored by Barney and his ilk. But Kermit and the gang grew in pop culture stature over the years, earning the respect of 30-somethings – and older.

So when Jason Segel created a mini puppet show at the end of ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ it started the inevitable march toward a full-fledged ‘Muppets’ reboot.

Now, the trick is to build on Muppet nostalgia while drawing enough 18-24 year olds to make this a profitable trip down memory lane.

The first official trailer for ‘The Muppets,’ opening Nov. 23, hardly tinkers with the franchise’s corny sense of humor. Yes, the passage of time is duly noted, but the gags are pleasantly retro. And, if you think the Muppets don’t matter, just look at the cast – Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Katy Perry, Jack Black, John Krasinski and Oscar-winner Chris Cooper.

It isn’t easy being green, but life as a world-famous felt frog has its perks.